A New Beginning ... and the End of an Era

Labor Day weekend 2010 has been marked on our calendar for about a year.  One of Mark's best friends from high school got married this weekend, and Mark was asked to stand up in the wedding as a groomsman.  We've been looking forward to this day for a while, and couldn't wait to spend an entire weekend in Chicago, sans kids (thanks mom and dad!) to celebrate with the bride and groom.

The weekend didn't disappoint.  Good friends, great weather, a beautiful celebration in a beautiful city.  The beginning of the happy couple's life together, a reunion of old friends that we don't get to spend nearly enough time with these days. 

We went from a phase in our lives where we had a wedding just about every month for a couple of years, to a phase where they became fewer and further between.  Now, instead of having the time to get together with friends on a regular basis, we rely on occasions like this to get the group together and have some fun!

We're so happy for the newlyweds, but can't help but feel a little sad as well.  This weekend we witnessed and celebrated the wedding of our final friend remaining to get married.  Now, each and every one of our best friends has found a partner to share their lives with.  Some are now celebrating their 12th wedding anniversaries this year!

The beginning of their lives together truly marks the end of an era for us.  Now we're going to have to focus on making the time to get together with friends and celebrate life ... without all of the fancy clothes.